Bajrang Punia, the wrestler, has received an indefinite suspension from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). This development may have repercussions on his eligibility to compete in the upcoming Paris Olympics, set to take place later this year.
Reports suggest that Punia did not provide his urine sample during the selection trials held in Sonepat on March 10, leading to NADA issuing a suspension order, preventing him from participating in future events until further notice.
An official statement from NADA on April 23 referenced their regulations, stating that Punia has been provisionally suspended pending a final decision reached at a hearing.
The Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) suspension notice was mistakenly sent to the defunct ad hoc committee instead of the federation recognized by United World Wrestling (UWW). Punia, who had previously voiced concerns about expired dope-collecting kits in a video a few months ago, refused to follow the instructions of the dope control officer, citing that his grievances had not been addressed by NADA officials.
Punia, a prominent figure in Indian wrestling alongside Olympians Sakshi Malik and Vinesh, previously faced public allegations of sexual harassment against former BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Given these allegations and the subsequent suspension, Punia’s participation in the upcoming selection trials, scheduled for later this month, is likely to be prohibited. It’s worth noting that no Indian wrestler has secured an Olympic quota in the 65 kg category yet.
